MBA in Business Administration

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

National College Ireland

Program Overview

The MBA at NCI is a two-year, Level 9 postgraduate program that equips experienced professionals with advanced management, leadership, and strategic skills. It suits candidates with at least three years of work experience who want to accelerate their careers, broaden their expertise, or even launch their own ventures, while studying enterprise, leadership, organisational management, finance, economics, and strategy.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students begin with a strong foundation in management and enterprise. Modules such as Leadership and Organisational Management and Management of Financial Resources provide the tools to lead teams effectively and make sound financial decisions. Alongside these, Economics for Managers develops the ability to interpret economic trends and apply them to business contexts. Electives in areas like Marketing or Project Management allow students to tailor their learning to their career goals.

Year 2

The second year emphasizes advanced strategy and applied learning. Strategy and Decision-Making challenges students to analyze complex business environments and design long-term plans. People Management focuses on recruitment, motivation, and organizational culture, while electives such as Law or Doing Business on the Cloud expand students’ expertise in specialized areas. A ten-credit Research Methods module runs across both semesters, preparing students for their dissertation.

Final Dissertation

The program culminates in a substantial dissertation, where students apply their learning to a real-world management problem. This project demonstrates their ability to integrate leadership, financial, and strategic skills into practical solutions.

Focus Areas

Enterprise, Leadership, Organisational Management, People Management, Strategy, Decision-Making, Financial Resources, Economics, Marketing, Law, Project Management, Cloud Business

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to lead organizations effectively, design and implement strategic plans, manage financial and human resources, analyze economic and market trends, and apply innovative solutions to complex business challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The MBA is awarded by QQI at Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). This internationally recognized qualification provides graduates with a credential valued across industries and enables progression to Level 9 research degrees or doctoral study at Level 10.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The MBA at NCI is described by faculty as a “passport to greater things both personally and professionally,” reflecting its global recognition.
Graduates typically progress into senior roles such as General Manager, Business Development Director, Project Leader, or Entrepreneur.
The program includes an enterprise management simulation game and an optional international field trip, further enhancing employability through applied global experience.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The MBA at NCI is built to ensure you don’t just study management theory — you actively practice it in real-world scenarios. From enterprise simulations to applied projects, the program is designed to sharpen your leadership, decision-making, and strategic skills. You’ll work with peers on collaborative assignments, use digital tools to analyze business cases, and even take part in international experiences that broaden your global perspective.

Here’s how experiential learning is embedded in the MBA at NCI:

Enterprise Management Simulation Game: A core feature of the MBA, this simulation challenges you to make strategic decisions in a competitive environment, mirroring the pressures faced by senior managers.
Group Projects & Case Studies: Modules such as Leadership and Organisational Management and Strategy and Decision-Making include collaborative projects where students tackle real-world business problems together.
Elective Specialisations with Applied Focus: Options like Doing Business on the Cloud and Project Management integrate practical assignments using digital tools and frameworks relevant to modern enterprises.
International Field Trip: Students have the opportunity to participate in a global study visit, gaining exposure to international business practices and networking with industry leaders abroad.
Research Methods & Dissertation: Across both years, you’ll develop applied research skills culminating in a dissertation that addresses a real management challenge, demonstrating your ability to integrate theory and practice.
Library & Digital Resources: NCI’s library provides access to specialized business journals, case studies, and online databases, supporting applied coursework and dissertation research.
Employer Engagement: The MBA curriculum is shaped with input from industry, ensuring that projects and simulations reflect the realities of business leadership today.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MBA at NCI are equipped to step into senior leadership roles, combining strategic insight with practical management skills. Alumni typically progress into positions such as General Manager, Business Development Director, Project Leader, or Entrepreneur, reflecting the program’s strong emphasis on enterprise, leadership, and decision-making.

Here’s how NCI supports your career progression and long-term success:

University Career Services: NCI’s Careers and Employability Service provides tailored MBA support, including one-to-one career coaching, CV and interview workshops, and direct employer networking opportunities. Students also benefit from the Graduate Outcomes Survey, which tracks employment success and helps shape programs to meet market needs.
Employment Stats & Salary Figures: NCI’s graduate surveys consistently show strong employment outcomes, with MBA graduates entering senior management roles where salaries typically range from €60,000–€80,000, depending on sector and experience.
University–Industry Partnerships: The MBA integrates employer-driven projects and simulations, and students benefit from NCI’s strong links with Dublin’s financial services, technology firms, and multinational corporations. These partnerships ensure graduates are prepared for leadership in Ireland’s most competitive industries.
Long-term Accreditation Value: Awarded by QQI at Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), the MBA is internationally recognized, providing graduates with a credential that holds long-term professional credibility across global markets.
Graduation Outcomes: Alumni move into diverse leadership roles across consulting, finance, technology, and entrepreneurship, applying their skills to organizational transformation and strategic growth.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MBA at NCI, students can continue their academic journey by pursuing a Level 10 Doctorate (PhD or DBA) in Business, Management, or Leadership. This pathway allows graduates to deepen their expertise, contribute to cutting-edge research, and position themselves for senior academic or executive leadership roles.